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via The Florida Times-Union
JAGUARS NOTEBOOK: Taylor sees his efforts pay off
By MICHAEL C. WRIGHT, The Times-Union
Training camp broke Friday, and for the first time in four seasons under Jack Del Rio, Jaguars running back Fred Taylor didn't.
... Break, that is.
That's good news, considering Taylor entered camp last season rehabbing from an injury after suffering setbacks during two consecutive training camps prior. Taylor flexed his new-found durability Saturday against Carolina, running for 15 yards on four attempts.
Taylor also gained 11 yards receiving.
"We talked about that," Del Rio said. "Him coming into camp healthy for the first time since we've been here. Not having an injury that we had to work through. Not having something, whether it be the knee or the foot, different things that come up when you play that position.
"This is the first year he entered the offseason healthy, had a great offseason and entered camp healthy and has stayed healthy. It's been very positive."
One contributing factor in Taylor's good health appears to be his improved physical condition.
Taylor, 30, hired a personal trainer and changed his eating habits, which allowed him to report to training camp in noticeably better shape.
A fitter Taylor could be just what the Jaguars need once the regular season begins since none of the club's receivers have emerged as the clear-cut go-to option on offense.
Taylor strained his hamstring during a conditioning run before the start of camp, but Del Rio called the injury minor because Taylor never missed a day of practice.
"That was a mild strain," Del Rio said. "He wasn't able to ooh and ahh the crowd on Day 1 and I know he was disappointed in that.
"But he's been out here every day working his butt off."
Line struggles
Jacksonville's offensive line seemed to struggle with pass protection in the first half, allowing Carolina to sack quarterback Byron Leftwich twice.
Panthers defensive tackle Maake Kemoeatu penetrated to drop Leftwich for a 10-yard loss on the Jags' second play from scrimmage, drawing boos from the crowd at Alltel Stadium.
Carolina rookie linebacker James Anderson sacked Leftwich on the Jaguars' second drive.
Just before halftime, Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers zipped past Jacksonville tackle Maurice Williams knocking the ball loose.
Defensive end Micheal Rucker recovered and romped 31 yards for a touchdown and a 17-3 Carolina lead.
Etc.
Jags DT Marcus Stroud suffered a bruised heel in the first half. ... The Jags fumbled four times in the opening half and backup QB David Garrard threw an interception. ... Ticket sales reached the 64,073 mark. ... Jacksonville natives Dee Webb and Jamaal ***** of White High played on the second-team defense. ***** entered the game with 2:28 left in the opening half when David Richardson was shaken up after a Nick Goings 19-yard run. ... LB Clint Ingram (calf), LB Pat Thomas (Hamstring), WR Matt Jones (ankle), S Gerald Sensabaugh (ankle), Mike Williams (back), Dan Connolly (dislocated and broken finger), TE Todd Yoder (hamstring), TE Brian Jones (knee) and TE Marcedes Lewis (ankle) didn't dress for Saturday's game. ... LB Sean Tufts, TE Kris Mangum and WR Steve Smith didn't dress for the Panthers.
JAGUARS NOTEBOOK: Taylor sees his efforts pay off
By MICHAEL C. WRIGHT, The Times-Union
Training camp broke Friday, and for the first time in four seasons under Jack Del Rio, Jaguars running back Fred Taylor didn't.
... Break, that is.
That's good news, considering Taylor entered camp last season rehabbing from an injury after suffering setbacks during two consecutive training camps prior. Taylor flexed his new-found durability Saturday against Carolina, running for 15 yards on four attempts.
Taylor also gained 11 yards receiving.
"We talked about that," Del Rio said. "Him coming into camp healthy for the first time since we've been here. Not having an injury that we had to work through. Not having something, whether it be the knee or the foot, different things that come up when you play that position.
"This is the first year he entered the offseason healthy, had a great offseason and entered camp healthy and has stayed healthy. It's been very positive."
One contributing factor in Taylor's good health appears to be his improved physical condition.
Taylor, 30, hired a personal trainer and changed his eating habits, which allowed him to report to training camp in noticeably better shape.
A fitter Taylor could be just what the Jaguars need once the regular season begins since none of the club's receivers have emerged as the clear-cut go-to option on offense.
Taylor strained his hamstring during a conditioning run before the start of camp, but Del Rio called the injury minor because Taylor never missed a day of practice.
"That was a mild strain," Del Rio said. "He wasn't able to ooh and ahh the crowd on Day 1 and I know he was disappointed in that.
"But he's been out here every day working his butt off."
Line struggles
Jacksonville's offensive line seemed to struggle with pass protection in the first half, allowing Carolina to sack quarterback Byron Leftwich twice.
Panthers defensive tackle Maake Kemoeatu penetrated to drop Leftwich for a 10-yard loss on the Jags' second play from scrimmage, drawing boos from the crowd at Alltel Stadium.
Carolina rookie linebacker James Anderson sacked Leftwich on the Jaguars' second drive.
Just before halftime, Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers zipped past Jacksonville tackle Maurice Williams knocking the ball loose.
Defensive end Micheal Rucker recovered and romped 31 yards for a touchdown and a 17-3 Carolina lead.
Etc.
Jags DT Marcus Stroud suffered a bruised heel in the first half. ... The Jags fumbled four times in the opening half and backup QB David Garrard threw an interception. ... Ticket sales reached the 64,073 mark. ... Jacksonville natives Dee Webb and Jamaal ***** of White High played on the second-team defense. ***** entered the game with 2:28 left in the opening half when David Richardson was shaken up after a Nick Goings 19-yard run. ... LB Clint Ingram (calf), LB Pat Thomas (Hamstring), WR Matt Jones (ankle), S Gerald Sensabaugh (ankle), Mike Williams (back), Dan Connolly (dislocated and broken finger), TE Todd Yoder (hamstring), TE Brian Jones (knee) and TE Marcedes Lewis (ankle) didn't dress for Saturday's game. ... LB Sean Tufts, TE Kris Mangum and WR Steve Smith didn't dress for the Panthers.
